RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENT AND
LIFE SCIENCES
Volume-3, Number-1, February-2010
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1. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(1) 1-6 (2010) Species diversity of Priyono Suryanto1,2*,
Mohd Zaki Hamzah2, Mohamad Azani Alias2 and Azmy
Mohamed2 1Faculty of Forestry, 2Faculty of Forestry, Universiti
Putra *e-mail: psuryanto@ugm.ac.id (Received: August 13, 2009; Revised
received: December 25, 2009; Accepted: December 28, 2009) |
Abstract: Vegetation succession after a volcanic eruption is relatively a
rare phenomenon, and the study on the subject matter is rather limited. A
study was carried out at the Gunung Merapi National Park (GMNP) with the objectives of
determining species diversity and distribution, two years after eruption.
Five plots (P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5), each with the size of 50 x 20 m were
established. The stand distribution pattern was calculated by use of
agglomeration and dispersion index, and growth trend of dominant species was
measured by correlation between density, diameter and height. The studies
show that the importance value index (IVI) of most species was very low, with
only the following species adaptive to the post-eruption environment of GMNP,
namely Acacia decurrens,
Acacia villosa, Cincona rubecea, Erythrina hypaporus, Euophorbia ciacembus, Ficus kubeba, Psidium guajava, Palotus sp, Pinus merkusii,
Schima wallichii and
Trema sp. The dominant species in the area are A.decurrens and P.merkusii.
The distribution of pattern of A.decurrens
can be categorized as clumpy, with the index of dispersion (IE) of
>1.27 and R0, whereas P.merkusii is
distributed in regular (IE » 1.27 and R >2.15) and random patterns (IE » 1.27, R< 2.15). The
relationship between density and diameter of
A.derurren are
inversely proportional at P1, P2, P3 and P4). Similarly, the relationship
between density and height of the species at P1, P2, P3 and P4 are inversely
proportional. Key words: Catastrophic eruption, Species
distribution, A. decurrens, P. merkusii |
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2. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(1) 7 -12 (2010) Air pollution induced changes in photosynthetic pigments and
accumulation of heavy metals in medicinal plant neem
(Azadirachata indica) Shilpa Shyam Department of Botany, e-mail: shilpa_lko@yahoo.com (Received: June 05, 2009; Revised received: October 24, 2009;
Accepted: November 15, 2009) |
Abstract: Vegetation naturally cleans the atmosphere by absorbing gases
and particulate matter through leaves as plant leaf act as a persistent
absorber when exposed to the polluted environment. Road side plants are good
bio-indicators of air pollution. Analysed data
reveals that TSPM and RSPM level was exponentially higher during winter and
summer season. The concentration of SO2 and NOx
was greatly influenced by the automobile emission. Higher concentration was
found in commercial area while NOx concentration
was found higher than SO2. In our study chlorophyll and carotenoid
content in all season in neem was highest at
residential area and least at commercial area, while phaeophytin was highest
at residential area and lowest at industrial area. Phaeophytin content was
maximum in summer (in residential area) and minimum in monsoon (industrial
area). The protein content was lowest at winter in residential area and
higher in monsoon at industrial area. The activity of peroxidase was highest
at commercial area in winter and lowest in monsoon at industrial area. During
summer in neem leaves average concentration of Pb, Mn, Fe, Zn and Cu in
residential areas was 21.58, 6.95, 82.43, 11.65 and 6.22 µg g-1
dry weight respectively. During mansoon
and winter average concentration of Pb, Mn, Fe, Cd, Cr, Zn and Cu was
19.67, 14.66, 126.63, 0.14, 0.09, 17.56, 11.95 and 11.17, 15.18, 119.96, 0.08,
0.11, 17.75 and 9.67 µg g-1 dry weight
respectively. At locations of commercial area average concentration of Pb, Mn, Fe, Zn and Cu during
summer was 28.36, 6.90, 108.11, 12.87 and 10.32 µg g-1 dry weight
respectively. During mansoon concentration of Pb, Mn, Fe, Cd,
Cr, Zn and Cu was 16.18, 16.40, 136.65, 0.10, 0.12,
22.14 and 11.98 µg g-1 dry weight respectively. In winter average
concentration of metals in the similar order was 14.69, 14.94, 118.21, 0.13,
0.10, 16.95 and 11.23 µg g-1 dry weight
respectively. Average concentration of Pb, Mn, Fe, Cr, Zn, Cu and Cd at
industrial locations during summer was 25.06, 5.10, 119.97, 0.98, 7.92, 8.96
and 0.99 µg g-1 dry weight respectively.
During monsoon concentration of Pb, Mn, Fe, Cd, Cr, Zn and Cu was
23.24, 15.14, 139.80, 0.08, 0.12, 22.22 and 12.35. In winter the
concentration of Pb, Mn,
Fe, Cd, Cr, Zn and Cu was 10.66, 15.16, 111.68,
0.11, 0.10, 16.81 and 11.34 µg g-1 dry weights respectively. Key words: Air pollution, SO2,
NOx, Chlorophyll, Phaeophytin, Carotenoid, Protein,
Peroxidase, Heavy metals |
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3. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(1) 13-16 (2010) Growth and metabolism in
response to Ni exposure by Cicer arietinum L. (Gram) plants
Shailly
Misra*, P.K.Tandon and Kumkum Mishra Department of Botany, *e-mail: shailly_misra@yahoo.com (Received: September 09, 2009; Revised received: December 14,
2009; Accepted: December18, 2009) |
Abstract: Effects of nickel on the growth and metabolism of gram were
studied in the seedlings of gram (Cicer arietinum L.). The plants were exposed to different
concentrations of nickel (0.25,0.50 and 1.0 mM) and selected parameters of growth and metabolism were
followed. Excess supply of nickel resulted in the induction of toxicity
symptoms and overall reduction in growth of plants. The root length(
4.50,4.10 and 3.79 cm ), shoot length (16.00,14.00 and 10.16 cm), fresh
weight ( 2.75,2.10 and 1.55 g ) and dry weight ( 0.23,0.20 and 0.16 g )
showed reduction at 0.25, 0.50 and 1.0 mM nickel
concentration respectively. The chlorophyll content as found decreased
(1.52,1.35 and 0.92 mg g-1 FW) at 0.25, 0.50 and 1.0 mM nickel concentration compared to the control levels.Total protein ( 5.14, 3.36 and 2.37 % FW ) and
sugar (27.50,17.50 and 7.50 mg g-1)content were reduced at
increasing doses of nickel (0.25, 0.50 and 1.0 mM
). However, the activity of enzymes, catalase ( 10.85, 22.28 and 36.91 m mole H2O2 split
mg-1 protein) and peroxidase ( 3.57, 7.28 and 10.97 units mg-1
protein ) were increased with increasing concentration of nickel (0.25, 0.50
and 1.0 mM ) in comparison to the control levels. Key words: Nickel, Gram, Growth,
Metabolism |
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4. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(1) 17 -20 (2010) Removal of colour in distillery
effluent (spent wash) by Phanerochaete chrysosporium and pseudomonsas
fluorescens Pratibha Singh*, Ashima Srivastava,
Roli Verma, N.N. Janhavi, Meera Gupta, Himanshu Singh and N.Kumara Swamy Department of Chemistry, *e-mail:
pratibha_env@rediffmail.com (Received: November 12, 2009; Revised received:
January 15, 2010; Accepted: January 18, 2010) |
Abstract: Distillery producing alcohol from molasses is
considered to be one of the most polluting agro-based industries. Especially
the problem of spent wash disposal is accentuated by its high temperature,
deep colour and acidic nature with obnoxious odour. The awful colour of
distillery waste is due to molasses and charred sugar like caramels, melanoidins and decomposition product like hydroxyl
methyl furfural. As the physical and chemical methods of effluent treatment
are cost ineffective, the emphasis has shifted to biological method to
decolorize the effluent. In the present study effect of treatment with microorganisms viz., Phanerochaete
chrysosporium and Pseudomonas fluorescens was tested on effluent for colour removal. P. chrysosporium
showed 22.3% colour removal and 14.14% COD
reduction over that of P. fluorescens. However,
sequential treatment by P. chrysosporium and
P. fluorescens showed relatively better
results in COD and colour removal by 79.55 and
92.53% than any of the individual microorganisms. A high correlation was
observed between the physico-chemical parameters studied. Increase in EC and
decrease in pH seems to be a function of reduction in COD, TSS, TDS and colour. Mineralization of organic matter resulted in
formation of organic acids and inorganic compounds to bring down the pH. The
study clearly demonstrated that sequential microbial treatment can enhance
substrate biodegradation due to the improvement in bioavailability of
substrate through various metabolic activities of microorganisms and thus con
be gainfully exploited for spent wash decolourization. Key words: Distillery, Waste, Molasses,
Effluent treatment, Melanoidins, Decolourization, Microorganisms |
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5. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(1) 21 -26 (2010) Growth, accumulation and
biochemical responses induced by cadmium in Jatropha
curcas L. Fauzia Siddiqui and P.K. Tandon Department of Botany,
Faculty of Science, *e-mail:
fauzy@rediffmail.com (Received: April 14, 2009; Revised received:
November 26, 2009; Accepted: December 08, 2009) |
Abstract: Jatropha curcas L. attracting considerable global interest due
to its potential use as a biofuel crop as well as
its potential to grow in any type of soil type. The phytotoxicity
imposed by cadmium (Cd) and its detoxifying
responses of Jatropha curcas
L. have been investigated. J. curcas L.
exposed to various concentrations of cadmium (0, 10, 25, 50, 100 mM) and accumulated good
amount of cadmium in various plant parts with increasing concentration.Effect
on biomass, photosynthetic pigments and protein level were evaluated as gross
effect, while lipid peroxidation reflected
oxidative stress cadmium induced lipid peroxidation
with increase in metal concentration. Toxic effects of cadmium on plant were
reflected by the reductions in photosynthetic pigments, protein at higher
concentrations. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were monitored as
plants primary and metal detoxifying responses. Enzymes viz.,
superoxide dismutase guaiacol peroxidase and
ascorbate peroxidase showed stimulation at lower concentrations except
catalase which showed declining trend. Initially, cysteine,
and non-protein thiols was found increased at lower
concentrations, which depleted with increase in concentration. However plant
showed progressive increase in proline content at
all concentrations. The study concludes that plant could grow under cadmium
stress and protect themselves from phytotoxicity of Cd by altering
various metabolic processes. Key words:J. curcas,Biofuel,Cadmium , Antioxidant , Cysteine,
Nonprotein thiols and proline contents, Photosynthetic pigments |
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6. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(1) 27 -32 (2010) Groundwater quality in Tirupur, C. Seenivasan,
P. Saravana Bhavan*, S. Radhakrishnan and M. Kamalakannan Department of Zoology, *e-mail:
bhavanps1967@yahoo.in, bhavan@buc.edu.in (Received: November 10, 2009; Revised received:
February 10, 2010; Accepted: February 12, 2010) |
Abstract:Tirupur is a well known town of south Key words:Tirupur, Potable water quality, Bore wells, Open wells, Dyeing |
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7. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(1) 33 -40 (2010) Combinatorial effect of low
temperature and IAA on flowering responses, metabolites and enzymes in Cucumis sativus Gopal Tewari*, Manoj
Kumar Soni, Ram Kumar, Sandeep
Kaur and Y.K. Sharma Department of Botany, e-mail: tewarigopal@gmail.com (Received: August 25, 2009;
Revised received: December 15, 2009; Accepted: December19, 2009) |
Abstract: The combined effect of IAA and low temperature exposure at the
seed germination stage, on the process of floral induction in cucumber was
analyzed in this experiment. The low temperature exposure to the seeds
decreased the days to anthesis of both male and
female flowers to 43.25 and 52.25 respectively. Similarly, the average nodal
position bearing first male as well as female flower also decreased as
compared to control on providing low temperature and/or IAA, alone or in
combination at seed germination stage, the reduction being more noteworthy
when IAA and low temperature were given in combination. The total No. of
female flowers formed, however, increased with the application of low
temperature and IAA and, consequently, the ratio of male flowers to female
flowers decreased with the increasing concentration of IAA, the reduction
being more when low temperature was provided with IAA. The sucrose content
was 240.0 µmol/gm fresh weight in control which declined to 237.5, 235.0 and 233.7
µmol g-1 fresh weight in plants which were treated with 25, 50 and
100 mg L-1 IAA respectively at seed germination stage. Exposure to
low temperature, however, increased the sucrose content. The application of
IAA, on the other hand, resulted in the increase in the starch content during
both pre-flowering stage as well as flowering stage. The application of IAA
also resulted in a gradual increase in the protein content, and this increase
was more when IAA and low temperature were given in combination. However, in
contrast to starch, the protein contents were found to be increased when
plants experienced a shift from pre-flowering to flowering stage. Application
of IAA at seed germination stage, however, decreased the activity of sucrose synthase, the decline being proportional to the
concentration of IAA applied. Activity of acid invertase,
though, showed a tendency just reverse to that of sucrose synthase.
At both, the pre-flowering and flowering stages, low temperature exposure of
seeds resulted in a decline in the activity of acid invertase
while application of IAA at seed germination stage caused an increase in the
activity of the enzyme in a concentration dependent manner. The activity of
IAA oxidase at pre-flowering stage was
significantly lowered in all the treatments as compared to control with the
reduction in the activity being proportional to the concentration of IAA
applied. A reduction in the activity of IAA oxidase
was observed in all the plants when they experienced a shift from
pre-flowering to flowering stage. Polyphenol oxidase, though, showed a trend just opposite to that
shown by IAA oxidase. At flowering stage, again
just opposite to the IAA oxidase, the activity of polyphenol oxidase increased
from that in pre-flowering stage in all the plants. The highest activity
during flowering stage was recorded in plants that were raised from seeds
treated with 100 mg L-1 IAA at low temperature (0.252 DOD g-1 fresh
weight). There was, however, not significant alteration in the peroxidase
activity in all the treatments over control; though the peroxidase activity
increased slightly on the application of IAA and low temperature as compared
to control at both pre-flowering and flowering stages. Key words: Vernalization, Low temperature, IAA, Acid invertase,
IAA oxidase, Pre-flowering, Protein, Cucumis sativus, Male and
female flowers, Anthesis |
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8. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(1) 41-44 (2010) In
vitro antimycotic study of essential oils against lipophilic
yeast like fungus Malassezia Meenakshi Sharmaand Richa Sharma* Laboratory of Mycology
and Microbiology, Department of Botany, *e-mail: richa.phd.15@gmail.com (Received: November 22,
2009; Revised received: January 28, 2010; Accepted: February04, 2010) |
Abstract: Potential inhibitory effect of Citrus lemon (lemon) and Citrus
sinensis (orange) on lipophilic,
yeast like fungus, Malassezia furfur which causes Pityriasis
versicolor, chronic superficial fungal disease
of the skin have been studied by using two different methods: disc
diffusion and microdilution methods. In screening
of lemon and orange oil by disc diffusion method, the diameter of inhibition
zone was found to be 50and 20 mm which was greater than inhibition zone of
reference antibiotics i.e gentamycin and streptomycin of 16.5 and 17 mm
respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of lemon and orange oil
against Malassezia furfur
was found to be 0.8 and 2.2 µl ml-1. These findings support the
use of Citrus lemon (lemon) and Citrus sinensis
(orange) oil as a traditional herbal medicine for the control of Pityriasis versicolor
infection of skin. Key words: Pityriasis
versicolor, Skin, Malassezia
furfur, Citrus lemon and Citrus sinensis oils |
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9. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(1) 45-48 (2010) Studies on effect of mercury in two verities of
rice (Oryza sativa L.) Poonam
Misra Department of Botany, e-mail:
dr.poonammisra@yahoo.com (Received: June 11, 2009; Revised
received: December 11, 2009; Accepted: December 14, 2009) |
Abstract: Mercury in excess doses
caused Necrosis, distorted leaves, brown and damaged root system in both rice
(Oryza sativa L.) varieties i.e Ratna and Sarju-52 and
cowpea (Vigna unguiculaia
L. Walp) seedlings. Shoot system was found to be
less cylindrical than control and show some abnormality at highest dose of
mercury (4.0mM). At lowest dose of mercury, the root length was significantly
decreases about 17.78% over control. The shoot seems to be more sensitive to
mercury than the root in var. Ratna. 1.0 mM dose of mercury significantly activated the activity
of catalase enzyme in seedlings. Various doses of mercury significantly
reduced the level of total chlorophyll concentration in both the varieties of
rice seedlings. The sugar content was reduced at excess dosed of Hg. At
lowest concentration of mercury sarju-52, showed stimulation in the
concentration of sugar, while at highest concentration of mercury the
experimental seedlings exhibited inhibition in sugar content. Mercury
drastically affected the concentration of protein in these two varieties of
significant decrease in protein content was found with all treatments of
mercury except 1.0 mm dose of this metal in rice var. rattan. Mercury also
inhibited the activity of other important iron enzyme peroxidase in var. Ratna. However, other rice var. sarju-52 showed
enhancement in the activity of this enzyme with excess doses of the same
metal. Key words: Vigna unguiculaia, Oryza
sativa, Mercury, catalase, sugar, chlorophyll, protein, Peroxidase |
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10 |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(1) 49-52 (2010) Effect of Cd on antioxidative system in Phaesiolus mungo
and its interaction with certain micronutrients Ram Kumar*, Aditya Verma and Y.K. Sharma Department of Botany, e-mail: rkumar_raam@yahoo.in (Received: October 13, 2009;
Revised received: January 16, 2010; Accepted: January 19, 2010) |
Abstract: In this study, the effect of
cadmium (Cd) and its interaction with phosphorus
(P) and copper (Cu) on lipid peroxidation, electrolye leakage percentage, catalase, peroxidase,
pigment, fresh weight and dry weight in black gram (Vigna
mungo var. PU35) were investigated. The experiment
was conducted in the wire house condition. Clay pots with total area of 310
cm2 per pot containing soil and compost into 3:1 ratio were used
for growing the seed of black gram. The plants were treated with solution
containing six Cd level as 3 CdSO4.7H2O
(0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 1.0 and 2.0 mM L-1)
for 30 days. At the lowest Cd level the concentration of malondialdehyde were
decreased, electrolye leakage percentage increased
at higher concentration, whereas the content of carotenoids,
fresh weight and dry weight were increased at lowest concentration of Cd. The activity of catalase were
increased at all Cd level, while the activity of
peroxidase decreases at lower level of Cd while
increased at higher level of Cd. The results
evidence the importance of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant system in
response to cadmium toxicity in black gram. Key words: Vigna
mungo, Peroxidation, Electrolye
leakage percentage, Catalase, Peroxidase, Pigment, Copper, Phosphorus,
Cadmium |